One in four (25%) Western Australians aged 18 years and over plan to move from their current dwelling within the next three years, according to an Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) survey released today.

Future moversThe Housing Motivations and Intentions survey found that close to three-quarters (71%) of these future movers will stay in the state and 6% intend to relocate interstate or overseas. Almost one quarter (23%) did not know the location of their future dwelling. More than half (54%) of these future movers intended to move within the next 12 months, 22% within the next two years and 17% within the next three years.

The majority of those staying in the state (or are undecided on their future location) plan to purchase their future dwelling (64%). Of those future purchasers who were currently renting, almost nine out of ten (88%) stated that home ownership was their main reason for intending to move.

The survey also found:

'Familiarity with the area' was the most common (55%) reason given for choosing the future location. Other reasons included 'central location' (49%), 'better lifestyle' (48%) and 'access to facilities and services' (48%).

The most common reasons given for choosing the future dwelling are 'appearance and layout' (70%) and a 'separate house' (68%).

Recent moversAlmost two-thirds (65%) of Western Australians moved into their current dwelling less than ten years ago. The majority of recent movers had moved from within the state. More than one-third of recent movers within Western Australia (34%) cited a change in family or personal circumstances as a reason for moving, with the most common change 'getting married or moving in with a partner' (24%).

Other results showed:

The most common reasons given for choosing their current location were: 'quiet location' (43%), 'close to family or friends' (42%), 'familiarity with area' (41%) and 'access to facilities and services' (41%).

'Appearance and layout' (57%) and 'larger residence' (57%) were the most common reasons given for choosing their current dwelling.

Further information is available in Housing Motivations and Intentions, Western Australia, October 2005 (cat. no. 8710.5) available free of charge.